Botanical Name: Swietenia Macrophylla
Origin: Fiji
Species Overview:
Fijian Mahogany is a Brazilian timber that is grown at plantations on the island of Fiji. It is a beautiful and dense hardwood with a close, straight grain. Its tightly woven grain makes it highly resistant to splintering and, like Merbau, it is also exceptionally resistant to moisture, decay and insect infestation. Fijian Mahogany is quite a durable and strong timber with a soft texture. It is a stunning material for decking and has a natural beauty, ranging in colours from a pinkish/red to orange/browns. Fijian mahogany is becoming a more popular choice for timber decking in Melbourne and Australia not only because of its beautiful appearance but also because it is harvested from sustainable plantation forests, and is regarded as one of the most environmentally friendly timbers available.
Main Uses:
- Moulding
- Panelling
- General Joinery
- Furniture
- Small Handles
- Boat Planking
- Decking
Working Properties:
Fiji Mahogany is very easy to work with hand and machine tools, torn and chipped grain is common with figured material. Easy to finish and takes an excellent polish; Slices and rotary cuts into fine veneer.
INSTALLATION
Before commencing deck construction confirm with your local council that the proposed deck complies with council regulations and that its design and construction methods are compliant with the New Zealand Building Code.
Ensure your deck design allows for adequate ground clearance i.e. a minimum of 450mm and that the structure is well ventilated allowing good airflow beneath your deck. Building too close to the ground and or closing in the sides of your deck can cause excessive board top versus board underside moisture variations which can lead to warping or cupping of the decking boards. This is particularly important when using decking boards wider than 90mm, as the greater board area amplifies these risks.
- Joist spacing’s should be no more than 400-450mm.
- Gaps between each board (row) should be no less than 4mm for 90x21mm and 6mm for 140x21mm boards
- Gaps at abutments should be no less than 3mm.
- Decking board butts can be joined end to end.
- Finish your deck with a protective penetrating decking oil or oil based stain. Oil the butt ends and underside of your decking boards before they are laid.
Mechanical Properties:
Generally heartwood rates as durable in disease resistance to a brown-rot fungus and a white-rot fungus. Moderately resistant to dry-wood termites and little resistance attack by marine borers.
